New WorkSafe Chief Executive announced

The Council of Trade Unions is welcoming today’s
announcement of WorkSafe’s new Chief Executive Phil
Parkes

"The CTU has had a positive and constructive
working relationship with Phil since WorkSafe was formed in
2013. Phil has a deep and thorough knowledge of health and
safety and the issues facing working New Zealanders. We have
always found Phil to be a good listener and receptive to new
ideas. He understands the importance of working people and
their representatives participating in the decisions that
affect their own health and safety at work. Phil brings to
the role an understanding of frontline experience and the
challenges that WorkSafe face in being an effective
regulator," CTU President Richard Wagstaff said.

"There is
no question that while WorkSafe has made significant
progress since its formation, it still has significant work
to do to make New Zealand workplaces as safe as other
countries we compare ourselves with, let alone world
leading. Those in control of our workplaces need to work
with WorkSafe and step up their practices. The system of
health and safety representatives and other ways to allow
working people to participate in their own health and safety
needs to be strengthened."

"The volcanic event a week ago
on Whakaari/White Island and the deaths of 18 people have
raised some serious questions about the regulation of
adventure tourism and the way it has been
enforced."

"Every working Kiwi needs to have the
confidence that at the end of their working day they can
return safely to their family. We look forward to working
with Phil to make New Zealand a safer place to live and
work," Wagstaff
said.

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi brings together over 350,000 New Zealand union members in 40 affiliated unions. We are the united voice for working people and their families in New Zealand.

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